The Aeronauts

James Glaisher was a real English meteorologist who is remembered for his pioneering work as a balloonist. Between 1862 and 1866 he made numerous ascents to measure the temperature and humidity of the atmosphere at its highest levels. With his co-pilot aeronaut Henry Tracey Coxwell, they broke the world record for altitude on September 5, 1862. Coxwell is omitted from the film, and replaced with the fictional Amelia Wren. The Wren character draws some inspiration from various real women most significantly Sophie Blanchard, a French aeronaut who was the first woman to work as a professional balloonist between 1804 and her death in 1819.

Several characters seem to address the widowed Amelia as Miss Wren, which is her maiden name, instead of Mrs Rennes. However, since the French name Rennes is pronounced exactly the same as the English name Wren, they could very well be saying the correct name.

During the opening credits, many of the Os in people's names slowly rise, as if symbolizing a balloon elevating.

Featured in CTV News at 11:30 Toronto: Episode dated 8 September 2019 (2019)